Student Services, Health, and Safety

Campus Posting

The Chicago School permits the posting of materials within public areas and corridors of school buildings in adherence with the guidelines set in this policy. All displayed materials must relate to Chicago School-approved organizations, activities, programs, or services and have the sponsoring organization’s name listed. Printed materials must be appropriately displayed on a bulletin board or easel in student lounges or classrooms and are permitted only on non-academic department bulletin boards in common areas of each school location.

Printed materials are permitted for posting only upon the specific approval of Student Life & Events. Department Chairs or their designees must approve posted materials on departmental bulletin boards. Postings deemed inappropriate, posted in areas other than on approved bulletin boards, or without approval will be removed.

Career Services

Career Services provides students and alumni with the resources and tools necessary to enter and thrive in their chosen area of employment. Career Services helps members of the learning community prepare for access and success in the professional world as practitioners and leaders by hosting relevant career-related activities and providing access to employment opportunities. Visit the Career Services website to learn about resources and services designed to support students and alumni in their career development and job search.  

Career Services is committed to complying with the ethical standards of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and expects students and employers to be honest and professional in the job search process. A student is encouraged to notify Career Services if any perceived violation of ethical conduct by an employer occurs.

Global Engagement

The Office of Global Engagement sponsors and coordinates international work and activities for students and visiting scholars, faculty, and alumni. Global Engagement advises international students and visiting scholars studying domestically, and it serves Chicago School students participating in international travel. 

Global Engagement advises F-1 international students, J-1 students, and short-term visitors on immigration matters and provides cross-cultural adjustment support to students. Designated School Officials (DSO) can assist a student with immigration status questions, travel needs, cross-cultural adjustment, and employment (on-campus, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or STEM OPT Extension). Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) assist a student or Exchange Visitor with immigration status, travel, or academic training questions.   

Global Engagement manages all study abroad programs and provides some support to field experience programs. Please refer to the Study Abroad website or email Study Abroad for information on eligibility, registration, and in-country requirements. 

Sponsored International Travel

The Chicago School defines sponsored international travel for students as travel that is authorized and administered by the institution. Typical sponsored travel programs for students include Study Abroad (optional), Field Experience (required by degree program), and other special programs that require international travel. Student-initiated, independent travel is not considered sponsored travel, even if the need for travel is school-based. 

Study Abroad is an optional experience that provides an opportunity for in-depth study of a topic in the classroom and includes international travel. Study abroad courses are typically three credit hours and may be eligible to count toward a student’s degree requirements. Field Experience is required for selected degree programs and includes both classroom study and international travel. Special programs such as Education Beyond Borders are non-credit bearing activities that include international travel.  

A sponsored program or travel component of a sponsored program may be cancelled due to low enrollment, increased risk, or similar. A student may be dismissed from a program for violation of a school policy or a local law among other reasons. See the Disciplinary Process for Sponsored International Programs policy for more information. 

Study Abroad 

To qualify for Study Abroad, a student must: 

1. Be in Academic and Financial Good Standing and have no account holds at the time of application. 
2. Apply to the program, which can include submitting a written application, writing an essay, and/or interview with the faculty lead.  
3. Sign and agree to abide by the International Travel Student Rights and Responsibility Agreement including all immunizations, vaccinations, and related testing and requirements as mandated by the institution and travel destination(s). 
4. Abide by the school’s Student Conduct policies stated in this Academic Catalog and Student Handbook. 
5. Complete all portions of the International Travel Registration Form. 
6. Participate in pre-departure orientation. 

Global Distinction

Global Distinction is a voluntary program that recognizes a student for their commitment to developing a global perspective. A student who completes the program will receive a “Global Distinction” notation on their official transcript and be honored at commencement. Program information is available on the Community Website.

Health and Wellness

F-1 and J-1/J-2 Health Insurance Requirement

The Chicago School requires students and scholars in F-1 or J-1 visa statuses to have health insurance. A J-2 dependent must provide proof of health insurance coverage. A student or scholar in F-1 or J-1 visa status is required to purchase a health insurance plan from the school-designated health insurance carrier and will be enrolled by the school before their first semester begins. A student or scholar enrolled in the school-designated health insurance plan may show proof of comparable health insurance to waive out of the school-designated plan. Information on this program is available on the Community Website.

Immunizations

The Chicago School encourages all students to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for vaccinations. Recommendations on immunizations are available on the CDC website.  

Washington, D.C.

A degree-seeking student under the age of 26 attending the Washington, D.C. campus must provide proof of immunization as detailed below. This D.C. Department of Health mandate requires compliance for a student who turns 26 either on or after their first day of attendance. This requirement is in addition to the COVID-19 requirement above.

The following immunizations or tests are required:

• Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td)
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

A student must submit a Certificate of Immunity along with proof of immunization as part of the enrollment process. The deadline for submitting the Certificate of Immunity is the Add/Drop date of the first semester of enrollment. Detailed student instructions are included on the Certificate of Immunity form.

A student who fails to provide required immunization records by the deadline will be removed from the institution.

Student Solutions

The Chicago School offers Student Solutions, a free, confidential, around-the-clock counseling service. Student Solutions resources may be accessed by calling 1-855-460-6668 or visiting www.guidanceresources.com (Web Identifier: TCSPP). The Student Solutions toll-free line is answered by counseling professionals and is strictly confidential, as mandated by law.

Counseling Providers

Student Solutions is available to students struggling with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, or legal and financial concerns. Should a student desire to access in-person care with a mental health provider in their local area, Student Solutions will make a referral, and the school will pay for the student’s first three counseling sessions. Should a student choose to engage in ongoing treatment with the recommended provider, the student may have the opportunity to establish a sliding scale service rate or arrange for payment by a health insurance plan.

Legal and Financial Information

Through Student Solutions, a student has an attorney “on call” for questions about legal matters including divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt and bankruptcy, landlord/tenant issues, civil and criminal actions, and more. Additionally, financial advisors are available for consultation on budgeting, debt management, tax issues, and other money concerns.

School Safety

The Chicago School has a 24/7 recorded information line, 800.750.5579, and an Emergency Information webpage, that contains information, guidelines, and resource links. All of these outlets will accompany campus email as a means to help disseminate information in the event of a campus emergency, global class cancellation, or school closing. New Orleans campus closure information may be found on the XULA Emergency Website or by calling 866.520.9852. 

All Chicago School campuses utilize security cameras at public entry points and throughout common areas on campus. This security camera system is not used for 24/7 monitoring, but as a tool for capturing and archiving footage to help law enforcement investigate a crime if one were to occur.

Chicago

Dallas

 Anaheim

 Los Angeles

San Diego

The Chicago School at Xavier University of Louisiana

Washington, D.C. 

Crime Awareness and Campus Security Information

The institution publishes an annual security report which includes information on the following:

• Campus policies on reporting criminal actions and other emergencies
• Security and access to campus facilities
• Campus law enforcement
• Crime prevention programs
• Policy on the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs
• Drug and alcohol abuse programs
• Crime statistics

To view a copy of the latest Crime Awareness and Campus Security Information Report, visit the Emergency Information page on the school website. A separate report is created for each campus as required by law.

Emergency Text Messaging

The Chicago School utilizes Rave, an emergency text messaging notification system, to reach members of the school community by rapidly transmitting short notifications to a cell phone. The Chicago School community members who have not yet registered are encouraged to visit http://www.getrave.com/login/tcsedsystem to submit contact information. Rave does not charge subscribers to send or receive SMS messages. Standard or other messaging charges apply depending upon the wireless carrier plan and subscription details. Once registered, community members may opt out of SMS messaging at any time by texting STOP to 67283 or 226787.

Minors on Campus

The Chicago School is committed to providing an educational space free from distractions and conducive to learning.  The presence of minor children on site can be a disruptive factor for students, and it can also present safety and liability issues for the institution. Therefore, appropriate restrictions are placed on bringing minor children to school campuses, sites, and facilities (classrooms, offices, common areas, and grounds).

Unsupervised minors are not permitted in classrooms, research labs, facility grounds, offices or any other common areas. Authorized visits are permitted where minors are accompanied by an adult at all times.

For the purpose of this policy, an authorized visit is defined as:

• A “bring your child to school day” sponsored by the institution.
• A school-sponsored activity that explicitly includes children.
• A short visit, i.e. to pick up a book, drop off a form, meet with an Admissions representative, or tour the campus.
• A department or course event planned especially for minors.

In all of the above instances, a minor must be supervised by their parent, guardian, or a paid attendant, e.g., a nanny.

Anyone who observes an unattended minor child should alert a Facilities representative who will attempt to locate the parent, guardian, or paid attendant. If the responsible adult is unable to be located in a reasonable amount of time, the Police Department will be contacted so that local authorities may respond to the matter in accordance with the appropriate city, county, and/or state laws.

Student Advisement

Student advising is an integral part of a Chicago School education. All students are provided with a faculty advisor and a Student Support Counselor.

Faculty Advising

The faculty advisement relationship includes:

1. Review and discussion of career planning in relation to past experiences, present needs, and future professional goals
2. Review of past coursework and advice concerning course selection
3. Review of grades, evaluations, and additional narratives commenting on past performance
4. Participation in the development and oversight of ADPs, where necessary
5. Availability for discussion of personal concerns that impact academic and professional progress
6. Referrals for additional help when necessary and appropriate

The following is expected of the student with regard to the faculty advising relationship:

1. Consultation with their faculty advisor regarding course selection prior to registration
2. Meeting with their faculty advisor at least twice per year to review academic and professional progress
3. Consultation with their faculty advisor before a problem or concern becomes serious

Student Review Meetings

The practice and frequency of Student Review meetings varies across academic departments. At Student Review meetings, faculty advisors present their advisees and solicit feedback from the faculty regarding a student’s progress in the program. After reviewing a student’s academic and professional progress, work samples, practicum, thesis, or internship feedback and evaluations, instructors of record for the courses forward written feedback to each student reviewed. First-year students are generally reviewed at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. More advanced students are reviewed at least once per year. Permission to apply to or participate in practicum and internship is typically considered during Student Review meetings.

Selecting a New Faculty Advisor

A student who desires a new faculty advisor may make a change request to the Department Chair. The student must make their request in writing. If approved, the Department Chair will notify the Student Support Counselor of this change so that the student’s records may be updated.

Student Support Counseling

All Chicago School students have a Student Support Counselor, a staff member who is available to assist with general questions, course registration, graduation requirements, and more. A student is encouraged to be in regular contact with their Student Support Counselor.

Student Identification Cards

An identification card is issued automatically to a ground campus student. This card permits student access to the campus buildings and allows for the use of materials and services in the library. The identification card should be displayed at all times. Identification cards of a student who withdraws or who is dismissed from the institution will be deactivated.

An online campus student or New Orleans student may obtain an identification card, if desired. Requests for information on identification cards, including how to provide a passport-ready head shot (jpg format) may be sent to facilities@thechicagoschool.edu.

A student must report to Facilities all lost, stolen, damaged, or misplaced cards. A replacement fee applies to all reissued cards.

Student Organizations

Student associations exist to meet the needs and serve the interests of all students at The Chicago School. The associations strive to provide meaningful opportunities for involvement that promote personal growth, professional development, and community engagement.

As organizations devoted to specific interests and activities are developed by students, they are required to become officially recognized. All new student organizations must first apply to become a Student Interest Group.  After three months in Student Interest Group status, the organization may apply to become a Registered Student Organization. Once a group becomes a Registered Student Organization, it may request funding for approved events and activities. Information on this process is available from Student Life & Events.

For student groups sponsored by an academic department (i.e. student ambassadors, etc.), please see your academic department for funding options and availability.

Chicago School Student Association

The shared mission statement of The Chicago School Student Associations is:

“The Student Association exists to meet the needs and serve the interests of all students at The Chicago School. Recognizing that students’ needs and interests go beyond the academic environment, the Student Association is committed to addressing various aspects of the student experience including personal and professional development, information resources, and social outlets. The Student Association advocates mutual respect and inclusion in support of students’ educational goals, occupational development, and community engagement.”

The association structure provides for the election of a student cabinet each year. The term of office is one year in duration. The purpose of the student association is to:

• Foster campus community and engagement through purposeful dialogue and events
• Provide programs to enhance the students’ social, professional, intellectual, and cultural development
• Serve as the student voice, both locally and across the institution, to administration
• Give students the opportunity to maintain and enhance their leadership skills

Representation on Committees of the Faculty

Where required, the student association works with faculty to appoint students to serve on committees.

Use of Alcohol

A student is expected to abide by all applicable state and federal laws, as well as all Chicago School policies and procedures, when consuming alcohol at school-recognized events sponsored by a student organization.

Alcohol may not be freely accessible, must be consumed in moderation, and must be served by a licensed vendor or trained professional. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be provided and readily accessible. Ultimately, students are responsible for their own behavior and for providing a safe environment for all event attendees. All on- and off-campus events involving alcohol that are sponsored by a student organization must comply with this policy.

There is no guarantee that a student organization will be permitted to provide alcohol at school-recognized events, and permission to serve alcohol at a school-recognized event is granted on a case-by-case basis.

All venue contracts must be reviewed by the organization’s advisor, Student Life & Events, and the Office of General Counsel prior to being signed. To request permission to serve alcohol at a school-recognized event, the student organization must first submit all applicable documentation including contracts at least 30 calendar days prior to the event. The budget for and marketing of all events that include alcohol must be pre-approved by Student Life & Events.

Once approvals are obtained, alcoholic beverages may be served at a student organization-sponsored event under the following conditions:

a. Alcohol must be served in a controlled manner and not be freely accessible. Individuals under the age of 21 or who are visibly intoxicated may not be served. Alcohol must not leave the confines of the event.

b. Non-alcoholic beverages and food must be available during the entire time alcohol is served. Water must be served for the duration of the event.

c. The event has a primary purpose not directly related to the consumption of alcohol. Such purposes might include, but are not limited to, furtherance of the organization’s mission and/or providing networking opportunities to students.

d. At least two student members of the organization hosting the event shall attend the event as Student Sponsors. Student Sponsors are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages prior to or during the event, and must be present to ensure the alcohol policy and all other applicable institutional policies are being followed. In no event shall there be fewer than two Student Sponsors at an event regardless of the total number of attendees.

e. All on-campus events must have a published end time, and the service of alcohol must stop at least 30 minutes prior to the published end time of the event.

f. Organizations are prohibited from co-sponsoring an event with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization, or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) where alcohol is provided free-of-charge or heavily discounted by the distributor.

g. While alcohol may be mentioned, any marketing of the event should not solely focus on alcohol promotion or service.

h. Student organizations shall not use alcohol brands or logos as part of promotional materials for an event.

On-campus events:

1. Organizations must purchase alcohol by following all state and federal laws. Organizations must provide a trained bartender to serve alcohol and be in compliance with local liquor license requirements.
2. Organizations may not collect supplemental funds from students solely for the purposes of purchasing alcohol. Organizations may require students to pay a portion of the overall event cost.

Off-campus events:

1. Alcohol may be sold on a cash bar basis if held at a venue which has a liquor license. Food must be available at the selected location. Two student sponsors are required for off-campus events.
2. Student organizations may not collect supplemental funds from students solely for the purposes of purchasing alcohol. Student organizations may require students to pay a portion of the overall event cost.

Student organizations and/or their representatives that fail to comply with this policy in full may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to revocation of the student organization status, removal from the organization, or dismissal from the institution.

Student Training

A student enrolled in an academic program that requires training or fieldwork is supported by a department faculty member associated with the Office of Placement and Training (OPT). OPT is responsible for all aspects of training including guiding a student through site selection, helping a student secure a placement, and consulting on professional development and related issues.

Other areas of OPT responsibility include:

• Training site review and maintenance.
• Small group and personalized meetings for student trainees.
• Mentorship of student trainees including negotiating professional relationships, resolving conflicts, making ethical decisions, and displaying professional comportment.
• Student trainee training record collection and maintenance.
• Consultation with program directors and faculty about the training process.

Practicum and Internship Courses

A student trainee must be enrolled in an associated practicum or internship or fieldwork course. A student trainee must show proficiency in both clinical practice and in the associated course to pass and progress on to the next course in the training series. Training hours accumulated during a term or semester are counted toward a student trainee’s total training hours requirement if the student passes the associated course. Typically, training hours accumulated during a term or semester are not counted toward a student trainee’s total training hours requirement if the student fails the associated course.

Training Overview

A student trainee enters into an agreement with the site supervisor within the first two weeks of the placement and is expected to abide by all conditions detailed in said agreement including beginning and end dates. A student trainee must receive direct supervision for all clinical or supervisory activities that take place at the site. A student trainee who experiences a disruption in their supervision or required activities must notify OPT immediately.

A training site is expected to provide clear and timely performance feedback to a student trainee. A student trainee must notify OPT if they do not receive timely feedback or if they are placed on a remediation plan, warning, or a performance improvement plan by their site. A student trainee may be dismissed from training for reasons including but not limited to failure to function in a responsible and professional manner, failure to adhere to ethical guidelines and laws, or failure to adhere to site policy or procedures.

The Chicago School provides a student trainee with professional liability insurance. As long as a student trainee remains actively enrolled at The Chicago School, they are covered by the school’s liability insurance. A student trainee may also be required to maintain their own professional liability insurance separate and distinct from the policy provided by the school.

For more information, please refer to the Office of Placement and Training website.

Study Areas and Project Rooms

Chicago, Online Campus, Southern California, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to the library, a student may study or meet in any classroom or project room that is not otherwise in use. A student is advised to reserve a room in advance for dissertation defense requirements; please see the local Facilities department for more information. Classroom schedules displaying regularly scheduled courses are posted outside all classrooms, and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, meetings and other events are scheduled in classrooms, conferences rooms, and project rooms and may not be listed outside of the door. Please respectfully acknowledge and relocate if someone has a reservation for the space. In the event of any dispute over room reservations, please contact the campus Facilities department.

Dallas

Classrooms or the group study room reservation requests may be made by contacting Dr. Lance Garrison at lgarrison@thechicagoschool.edu or by calling 469-941-8360.

The Chicago School@XULA

Group study rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Library Resource Center and are available for checkout through the circulation desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional rooms can be reserved on campus by calling 504.520.5451 or e-mailing events@xula.edu.

Transit Programs

The Chicago School participates with local transportation agencies to provides transit benefits to students, where available.

Chicago Campus

The Chicago Campus participates in the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass program. The CTA U-Pass program provides a low-cost transit pass valid for unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains while school is in session. A full-time Chicago Campus student in a qualifying academic program is enrolled in the CTA U-Pass program. More information on the CTA U-Pass program is available on the Community Website.

Full-time status for CTA U-Pass eligibility is defined as follows:

• Fall and Spring Semesters: CTA U-Pass eligibility is determined based on the institutional definition of full-time enrollment status. To receive the CTA U-Pass benefit, a student must meet the minimum credit hour requirement for their degree level or be enrolled in a course granting auto full-time status.
• Summer Semester: To be eligible to receive the CTA U-Pass benefit in Summer, a student must be enrolled in 5 credit hours (graduate) or 6 credit hours (undergraduate) or a course granting auto full-time status.

Certain courses and programs of study at Chicago require minimal visits to campus. A student enrolled in the following programs is not eligible to receive the CTA U-Pass: PhD in Organizational Leadership, PhD in Business Psychology: Consulting Track, PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis, and full-time internship placements outside the City of Chicago.

Washington, D.C. Campus

The Washington, D.C. Campus participates in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) U-Pass program. The WMATA U-Pass program provides a low-cost transit pass valid for unlimited rides on Metro rail lines and buses and the Metro Airport Shuttle while school is in session. A full-time Washington, D.C. Campus student who lives in the D.C. Metro area in enrolled in the WMATA U-Pass program regardless of home address or course delivery modality. More information on the WMATA U-Pass program is available on the Community Website.

Full-time status for WMATA U-Pass eligibility is determined based on the enrollment status information in the Student Classification   policy in this Catalog. A student must report a change in enrollment status within 45 days of the start of the semester to transit@thechicagoschool.edu.

A student assigned to a full-time internship outside the D.C. metro is not eligible for enrollment in the WMATA U-Pass program. Internship placement data is determined based on what is posted to the OPT database.

University Library

The Chicago School University Library provides service to all students at all campuses, with dedicated library spaces at the Chicago, Dallas, Southern California, and Washington, D.C. locations, with hours of operation varying according to the needs of the specific location. All of the librarians and library staff from all campuses offer bibliographic instruction and research assistance to all faculty, students, and staff and 24/7 access to online databases and other e-resources.

A student enrolled at New Orleans may access both The Chicago School University Library resources and the XULA Library Resource Center.

Overview

The Chicago School Library provides access to information and materials that support the teaching, research, and public service programs of the school. The library supports these programs by acquiring and managing scholarly information related to the theory, teaching, and practice of professional psychology, providing access to information available elsewhere through the interlibrary loan service, providing reference and instruction, and exchanging information resources with other libraries around the world.

Electronic Resources

A student has access to over 20,000 full-text and abstract psychology-specific journals and APA-published books through the online research databases. The databases that are available from Ebsco and Proquest include Academic Search Complete, ABI/Inform, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PsycBOOKS, PEP Archives, Tests in Print and Mental Measurements Yearbook, as well as the SAGE Premier Journal Collection. Also available are large collections of streaming video titles and e-books.

Dissertations by Chicago School graduate students and students from around the world can be accessed online through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.

Interlibrary Loan Services

A student can request books, dissertations, and journal articles that are not available at a campus location or electronically through interlibrary loan. This library service is offered to students, staff, and faculty at no additional cost except as outlined in the University Library’s policies.  There are fines and fees for late or lost Interlibrary Loan items which are outlined in the University Library’s schedule of due dates, fines, and fees.

Print Resources

The Library has books and videos that can be checked out for a limited period of time. In order to check out material, a student needs to bring a student ID card.  For information on fines and fees, please refer to the University Library’s schedule of schedule of due dates, fines and fees.

Psychological Test Materials

The University Library maintains an extensive range of psychological assessment materials in support of The Chicago School’s degree programs. Professional guidelines set forth by the APA and assessment publishers limit the use of and access to materials to qualified individuals. The APA PsycTests and the Mental Measurements Yearbook databases are available via the Library web site 24/7 to locate information about specific assessments.  The University Library’s full policy on Test Kit usage can be found on the library’s website.

Fine and Fees

The University Library collects fines and fees for late and lost materials. The details of this policy can be found on the University Library’s website.  Additionally, a student can also refer to the fee schedule on The Chicago School’s website.

Reference

Bibliographic instruction is provided at all Chicago School locations; in addition, Chicago School librarians work with all students by phone or virtual meeting. A student may ask questions through email 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Librarians are also available to answer questions via email or phone during normal business hours. The Chat the Library service is available via the University Library’s website.

Reserves/Electronic Reserves

Whenever possible, the all required texts will be available from each of the University Library Branches’ Circulation Desks. Course readings are made available in Canvas for all campuses.